The Federal Government has intensified efforts to promote a healthy and productive workforce through an awareness and fitness exercise for civil servants in Abuja.
The initiative, part of the monthly Federation of Public Service Games (FEPSGA) Walking and Jogging Exercise, featured free cancer screening and general health checks for workers from Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs).
Speaking at the event held over the weekend at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Daju Kachollom, said the government is committed to tackling the menace of cancer in Nigeria through sustained awareness and early detection.
Describing the campaign as “epoch-making,” Kachollom disclosed that Nigeria records over 127,000 new cancer cases annually, with breast cancer accounting for about 24 per cent.
She expressed concern that over 80 per cent of cancer cases in the country are detected at advanced stages, unlike in developed nations, where early screening improves survival rates.
“The disparity is clear; while developed countries have a higher incidence, low- and middle-income countries like Nigeria have higher mortality because of a poor screening culture. This is why we must act,” she said.
Kachollom reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to leading the fight against cancer and other diseases in line with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
She added that the upcoming National Council on Health will push for establishing State Cancer Control Programmes and routine screening services at the sub-national level.
“Cancer is real, it is ravaging, and it is here with us. The cheapest and most effective response is prevention through lifestyle modification and regular screening. Early detection saves lives,” she emphasised.
The screening exercise covered breast, cervical, prostate, and colorectal cancers and checked for blood pressure, blood sugar, hepatitis B and C, and body mass index.
In her keynote address, the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs Didi Esther Walson-Jack, said the campaign goes beyond fitness—it symbolises the civil service’s commitment to “health, life, and hope.”
“Without health, there is no service. Without health, there is no progress,” she stated, stressing that a healthy and resilient civil service is vital to advancing the administration’s development goals.
Represented by Mrs Patience Nwakuso Oyekunle, Permanent Secretary, Service Welfare Office, Walson-Jack urged civil servants to take advantage of the free screenings, lamenting that many have lost their lives to cancer due to late detection.
The National President of FEPSGA, Comrade Amaebi Aloku, expressed satisfaction with the turnout and commended the Federal Government, Permanent Secretaries, Directors, and sports managers for their support. He announced that the 2025 FEPSGA Games will be held in November.
The Sports Manager of Team Humanitarian, Mr Kazeem Adewale Adenekan, also appreciated the ministry’s leadership for supporting the team’s participation and lauded members for their commitment despite unfavourable weather.
The event featured fitness sessions, aerobics, medical awareness talks, and award presentations in Early Arrival, Best Kitted, Highest Attendance, and Best Behaved MDA categories.
The Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction emerged as the 3rd Best Kitted Team.
